Exploitation of geographic information

The exploitation of geographic information is aimed for exploring, modelling and forecasting spatial processes from the model of reality. This is where Spatial Analysis (SA) takes place. However methods of spatial analysis are already used for the construction of geographic information, mainly during the conditioning stage for regionalisation purposes. The spatial dimension of information allows original and rich components belonging to the reality.

Components of the spatial dimension to be exploited with spatial analysis

Figure 1.8Figure 1.8

Exploration and modelling objectives are embedded in the organisation of B-AN Lessons. Their contents are structured according to the nature of phenomena and to exploitation tasks. According to the objectives of the exploitation, space and its spatial relationships can be modelled in different manners, from a “simple” homogeneous surface to a heterogeneous volume with anisotropic properties:

Modelling spatial properties in different manners

Figure 1.9 (MEA 5-11)Figure 1.9 (MEA 5-11)

Exploration of geographic information (B-AN, B-PR)

What is the spatial distribution of properties throughout the study area? What are relationships between spatial features and within their thematic properties and their change?
To answer to these rich and complex questions, one needs to consider the nature of spatial distributions and the objective of exploration for the design of an appropriate exploration process: